Celebrating autumn at Burntwood Villas
To mark the changing seasons, Burntwood Villas Inpatient Community Rehabilitation Service hosted two seasonal group activities to bring patients and staff together for an autumn celebration of creativity, collaboration, and connection.
The first event - a pumpkin carving group - encouraged everyone to express their individuality through imaginative designs, while working together in a supportive, social environment. Residents and staff shared ideas, offered practical help, and enjoyed the sensory and therapeutic benefits of creating their own pumpkins. The session provided an opportunity for relaxation, self-expression, and teamwork, while helping to build confidence and social skills.
Patients and staff came together again the following day, to prepare and cook a pumpkin soup from what was leftover, including toasting the seeds for a garnish. By using these ingredients to create a nourishing meal, nothing went to waste, helping to promote conversations about sustainability and practical life skills.
These activities demonstrate how rehabilitation at Burntwood Villas blends creativity, skill development, and social connection to support people's recovery. The shared experience also helped to strengthen relationships between residents and staff, while reminding everyone of the value of teamwork and inclusion to promote wellbeing.
Talking about the sessions, Kwame Fumey, Team Manager at Burntwood Villas said:
These activities aren't just fun, they build skills, foster teamwork, and give our residents a sense of pride and achievement. And seeing our residents come together to create and share their work, reminds us how creativity and collaboration build confidence, connection and wellbeing.
Support our winter appeal
The festive period is a time of joy, goodwill, togetherness and celebration. But, it can be difficult for anyone who needs to be in hospital, particularly for people struggling with their mental health. That's why we're treating our hardworking ward staff and inpatients to a ‘We Care Festive Celebration’ this year.
You an help us deliver a bespoke ‘party-in-a-box’ to every ward, like those at Burntwood Villas, packed with festive decorations, treats and goodies by supporting our winter appeal.
